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The authority's core function will be to audit and report on parliamentary work expenses; provide advice, monitor and administer claims for travel expenses and allowances by parliamentarians and their staff.

The draft laws also allow for modernisation of the expense management system and for monthly disclosure.

A bill to immediately axe one of the most generous retirement perks for federal MPs - the life gold travel pass - was also introduced on Thursday.

Former prime ministers, however, will still be offered free travel under the arrangements as a mark of respect for the office, but with greater limits.

Veteran coalition senator Ian Macdonald has revealed he will personally seek to strengthen the watchdog when legislation comes before the upper house.

Senator Macdonald, acknowledging the move may not be popular among his colleagues, told parliament he would seek to amend the bill to include public servants.

"I suspect there's not going to be too many on my side to second it," he said, indicating he would move amendments to the multiple bills.

Senator Macdonald, who was speaking during debate on a private Greens bill to establish a national integrity commission, called on the minor party to support his amendments, saying the bureaucracy was enormous.

"Most of them who have infinitely more power and spending capability than anyone in this parliament house," he said.

"It's time to widen the net."

Senator Macdonald also revealed he told a party-room meeting it was time someone stood up for politicians following the expenses scandal that claimed the scalp of former health minister Sussan Ley.

He said he was the first to defend Greens senator Rachel Siewert when media reports revealed she was one of the biggest spenders of taxpayer-funded flights, insisting she was one of the hardest-working parliamentarians.

"It's about time our leaders, all of our leaders ... started just emphasising how much work politicians do, how much commitment most of the people who sit in this parliament have," Senator Macdoland said.

"They don't get particularly well paid.

"Most parliamentarians, those on this side, would have done infinitely better financially staying in their legal practice, staying in their business."